I'm new to the forum but i was wondering if anyone has tried to format their flash and knows what happens? does it then look for a software image on the system or does it brick (no assumptions please)? secondly what might happen if you took the flash memory off and tried to over-write it.

I know formatting and overwriting it isn't possible as this point with the PS3 but it doesn't mean it cant be done else ware. I could plug it into my cisco router and y-modem the CFW. I'm just worried there's a fail safe before i brick my ps3.

Well, of note - even when you brick your cisco, as you said there is a failsafe. But if you wipe the failsafe, its wiped. Now not really much of that in the PS3, once the flash is wiped, it's wiped, which means its bricked.

Following up on his previous update, today Sony PlayStation 3 hacker No_One has made available some PDF documentation that details how Project PNM PS3 NOR Manager works including schematics, explanations, a bill of materials (BOM), and diagrams.

private keys are used to decrypt (and sign) files needed to build a firmware.

public keys are used to decrypt files like "EBOOT.BIN", SELF/SPRX files and so on.

If a new exploit is found to obtain privates keys then CFW will appear again.

Even if PNM project only aims to manage a TRUE dual firmware console, it may lead to public keys.
I won't explain it how.

What does that mean ?

It means devs will probably include public keys (ie 3.70) in a 3.55 CFW (like it has been done for 3.56 keys). But i would like to underline that there some tricks that could be used by SONY to prevent such methods. I won't explain them here.

Now, concerning the NOR flash. It only embeds a part of the firmware. The other part is stored in the internal HDD. To manage a TRUE dual firmware, it will be necessary to have both these parts (ie 3.41 HDD + 3.70 HDD).

I won't talk about the SYSCON in this post since most people reading won't understand what it is.
The lame method will consist to swap HDD. But good news, there are some identified tricks to keep everything in only ONE HDD

Again, to make things clear: PNM is NOT a project to promote piracy ! The main goal is to have a 3.41/3.55 CFW with Linux/homebrews and an OFW to continue enjoying last games, PSN... But like any "weapon", PNM can be used for nice perspectives but also in "bad hands" for obscure aims.

Pandora battery

Originally Posted by CJPC

Well, of note - even when you brick your cisco, as you said there is a failsafe. But if you wipe the failsafe, its wiped. Now not really much of that in the PS3, once the flash is wiped, it's wiped, which means its bricked.

Project PNM Stand-Alone Mode for PS3 NOR Flash Mangement

As a follow-up to the previous Project PNM news, here is another update from PlayStation 3 hacker No_One below.

To quote: Hi mates, I wanted to give you news concerning the PNM project. I really missed time. But I just finished what I call the "stand-alone mode". In this mode, we can do everything concerning the NOR FLASH mangement.

Here are the functions working now:

copy memory

dump memory

update memory

display memory CRC32

read memory

display memory details

PNM is now working with 2 NOR sockets and 1 "virtual" one which is the PS3 embedded memory. It means for example that now we can dump/update the PS3 NOR like any flasher, but also copy its content to another FLASH and so on...

Next step now consists in wiring the PNM board to the PS3. This is what I call the "PS3 mode". I will do it next week

I will of course give you details, some nice pictures and maybe a video. We are not so far to be capable to dual firmware the PS3 and do some nice progress in FLASH decrypting.

Have fun !
Cheers

No_One

PS: For people asking why I simply didn't use a twice capacity NOR FLASH (32MBytes) instead of 2 NOR FLASH (16MBytes). This is simply because it is easy for SONY to disable the dual firmware feature using what we call the "Product ID". Original NOR has a unique product ID (16Mbytes). A simple check and you cannot anymore use PNM.